All tires should have their air pressure checked on a regular basis, preferably weekly for truck tires and at least once a month for passenger car tires. Truckers and motorists who get in the habit of checking their tires on a regular schedule will experience far fewer tire failures and, as an added benefit, will find that their tires last longer and their fuel costs will decline. "One of the problems about tires is that they are practically the only part of a vehicle that can be totally abused and the vehicle will keep moving. Seriously underinflated tires will not stop a vehicle. Try driving with no brakes and you'll see what I mean," said Harvey Brodsky, Managing Director of TRIB, the Tire Retread Information Bureau. "Because of this, many truckers and motorists tend to ignore their tires, often until it's too late."

"By not paying attention to this very important component of tire care, they not only waste money, but they put themselves and others at risk of an unnecessary tire failure," Brodsky added. TRIB recommends setting a regular weekly or monthly schedule for checking air pressure. A properly maintained and regularly calibrated tire gauge should be used, and the tires MUST have their air pressure checked while the tires are COLD, preferably having been driven for less than one mile. The retreadability of truck tires that have never been driven underinflated rises dramatically, which has a very positive effect on a trucking fleet's bottom line. The best way for fleets and motorists to lower tire costs is to inspect tires regularly for cuts and other signs of irregular wear, and to check tires with a gauge while the tires are COLD. A good time to check tires is first thing in the morning after the vehicle has been sitting for several hours or longer. This will insure that the tire inspections and air pressure checks are being made while the tires are COLD.

According to TMC data it only takes about 20 minutes to check and adjust inflation pressure on an 18 wheeler. The old saying, TAKE CARE OF YOUR TOOLS AND YOUR TOOLS WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU is especially true when it comes to tires. Tires are tools (try operating a vehicle without them!) and whether we like it or not, they do require care. The time it takes to visually inspect and maintain proper air pressure in tires is an investment that fleets and motorists really can't afford not to make.